Spectator 2655

[FleshpotsOfDevon]

True to form, the last one is a short one, and I only need one letter for it lol Pretty much a breeze from Doc this week, otherwise. 

 

Mac's to take notice of Spanish wine plug (4) TE?T

 

Thanks 

[Neveracrossword]

Tent, various meanings, definitions (but I didn';t have time to check)

[FleshpotsOfDevon]

Ah yes I see what you mean, thanks ! 

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Fleshpots... I knew two of the meanings, they've come up before, so assumed the third one (plug) would be fine too. It was a... very tame puzzle, but I was expecting that anyway!

[FleshpotsOfDevon]

I did about 3/4 of it last night when it came online (12am-ish) before bed. The theme came pretty easily after I got 7d. Quite tame even by Doc's standards, tbh.

[Neveracrossword]

Fleshpots, I sometimes find it hard to believe, remember, that Doc used to produce clever, tricky, interesting puzzles. Those days are long gone! 

[FleshpotsOfDevon]

What is Doc's real name? 

[Neveracrossword]

Fleshpots, Tom Johnson.

[FleshpotsOfDevon]

Does he set any other crosswords? If I've done some of them it'd be interesting to compare them. 

[Neveracrossword]

He sets Maskerade in the Guardian - I think those are the jumbo, themed puzzles, but I'm not certain! He also sets/used to set puzzles for the Financial Times, the Telegraph and quite a few other publications.

[FleshpotsOfDevon]

I may have done a few of his Telegraph ones, then. All in all those are/were much tougher prospects I assume. Doc has his moments in the Speccy but this one seemed almost like a throwaway. (I know I'm not as expert as some here so can't really speak with authority, but I consider myself to be a seasoned Spec solver by now) 

[quinol]

enjoyed this probably because it wasn't too hard, slightly delayed by being sure the unclued were shirleys, very sorry to unclue bassey - there were 2 others.

1 or 2 of the actual ones were pretty uninspiring

[Tilly2]

I'd finished it by lunchtime. A little, personal triumph for me.

[Neveracrossword]

Tilly2 and Quinol, I was pleased to hear you'd enjoyed the puzzle - that can offset some of my jadedness! (I think I've had about  20 years of doing the Spectator puzzle, so have had a very wide variety...)

[AlocinR]

Whilst Docs puzzle  be easier than o

[AlocinR]

Oh dear, that's what comes of trying to post between underground stations on a busy train.

I meant to say that whilst Doc's puzzles have been easier than the others it was by working through them that I am now able to solve the more difficult ones. So I say 'Thank you' to Doc.